LCL-625

POST-SECONDARY PLANNING

 

SENIORS

APPLYING TO COLLEGE

If college is your next step  you will start by submitting applications to the colleges of your choice. Most colleges begin accepting applications August 1st of your senior year. You may apply via the individual institution's application or you may use an application that is accepted by multiple colleges such as the Common Application. It is VERY important to know all admission deadlines and what information is required, for example: ACT/SAT scores, letter of recommendation, personal statements, etc. 

Types of application deadline options:

Early Action - students receive an early response to their application but do not have to commit to the college until the normal decision date of May 1st. Decisions are non-binding.

Early Decision - students receive an early response to their application and MUST commit to attend that college if accepted. Decisions are binding

Regular Decision - students follow all regualr application deadlines and response timelines.  

*It is recommended that students submit applications by the end of October. 

 

Teacher/Counselor Recommendations:

Students should always talk to their recommender before submitting names on applications. You may want to provide them with a resume or some information about all of your activities and future plans. It is also very important to provide the recommender ample time to complete the recommendation. A minimum of 2 weeks is preferred. 

 
 TOOLS FOR COLLEGE SEARCHES/CAREER SEARCHES/COLLEGE MAJORS
CollegeData.com
The College Navigator
Slate.org College Discovery
My Majors 
Careeronestop Interest Inventory
Princeton Review Career Quiz
 
TRANSCRIPTS

LCL uses an electronic transcript service called Parchment to send transcripts. Students will use Parchment to request for their high school transcript to be sent to any college or university as well as NCAA or other institutions/individuals.

It is fast and easy and allows current students and alumni to make transcript requests at any time online.  Currently the fee for Alumni transcripts is $4.40. 

To get started, go to www.parchment.com, and click on Create an Account on the top right of the screen on a computer or on your phone scroll to the bottom of the page. You are a Learner.  Enter "Lake Country Lutheran High School" where it prompts "Enter the name of the school that has your transcript", and fill in all profile information required. Be sure to use your full given name (i.e. Matthew instead of Matt). Once your profile is complete you will see a place to select “order transcripts” and you can enter your college or other receiver at that time. If you have any questions about this process please contact Mrs. Jakubowski in the Office. 

Please remember that once your account is set up you will need to remember your username and password to access it at any point in the future.

 
DUAL CREDIT/COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS
If you have taken a dual credit class or any other class through an outside institution your transcript from those institutions will need to be sent when applying to colleges as well. In order to make those requests you will need to contact the institution's registrar's office directly. As dual credit classes through Concordia University Nebraska and Concordia University Wisconsin are common to our students, the transcript release information for those two institutions are included below:
 

Concordia University, Nebraska (Spanish):  http://transcripts.cune.edu

LCL dual-credit students do not already have an account for requesting their CUNE transcript. Select the second option:  CUNE students and alumni who have not created a Parchment account click here and create an account. (This Parchment account is different than you LCL Parchment account.) On the following page click the gray box to create an account and follow the steps to request a transcript.

Concordia University, Wisconsin:  https://helpspot.cuw.edu/helpspot/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=304

 


 JUNIORS

POST-HIGH SCHOOL/COLLEGE PLANNING

Junior Parents - if you missed the Junior Parent Meeting on 11/1/2023 here is the PowerPoint from the presentation:

Juniors will meet with Mrs. Jakubowski to learn about how to begin post-high school planning. Topics covered during this meeting include options for post-high school, College Application Timeline, Standardized Testing, College Visits, College Discernment, Paying for College, and Financial Aid. Additionally, a quick reference guide to the College Application Timeline can be found by linking here. If you have any specific questions about the process, please contact Diane Jakubowski, School Counselor, in the School Counseling Office.
 
 TOOLS FOR COLLEGE SEARCHES/CAREER SEARCHES/COLLEGE MAJORS

CollegeData.com
The College Navigator
Slate.org College Discovery
My Majors 
Careeronestop Interest Inventory
Princeton Review Career Quiz

The ACT and/or SAT tests are typically taken by the end of Junior year.  It is suggested that students take these tests two or three times. Check the ACT or SAT sites for more information.
 
The PSAT (which is the only path to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship) is also offered in October of Junior year.
 
Check out the School Counseling Page for information on area college fairs so you can start looking!

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER:
  1.  Consider taking more challenging courses if you are doing well
  2.  Continue involvement in activities (school and volunteer service) - consider leadership roles
  3.  Visit colleges - create a list of questions and plan a list of schools to visit 

SUMMER PROGRAMS/OPPORTUNITIES

Summer is a great time to take precollege courses, explore a career, get a job. If you need help finding Summer precollege programs stop in the Counseling Office for more information!

SOPHOMORES

You are now in your 2nd year of high school, no longer the youngest in the building. Sophomore year is great time to set new goals and continue to challenge yourself academically! You should be thinking about where you want to go after high school; college, military, an apprenticeship? Think about what your strengths are and where you need to make improvements. When you see the college representatives visiting the school, stop over, find out what they are about. It's never too early to think about your next steps!

Check This Out:  5 Ways to Find Career Ideas

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FRESHMEN

Welcome to LCL! We are happy to have you as a member of our school family.  Responsibilities of the Office of Student Services include scheduling, planning for college, careers and future coursework at LCLHS, information on scholarships, standardized testing and working with parents, students, teachers, and administration to encourage each student's success in and out of the classroom. Please contact us with any questions or concerns you might have at any point.
  
FRESHMEN PLANNING
At the beginning of the 2nd semester of freshmen year, all freshmen students go through a seminar on planning the rest of their high school coursework and looking at college/career application requirements. Discussions also include their high school GPA, standardized testing, recommendation letters from teachers, and possible colleges/careers they are thinking about.
 

 

Jakubowski_Diane 2023-2024
Mrs. Diane Jakubowski, School Counselor/Mentor Program
djakubowski@lakecountryhs.org | 262-367-8600 ext. 306
Brazgel_Greg 2023-2024
Mr. Greg Brazgel, Assistant Principal Registrar/Math/Football
gbrazgel@lakecountryhs.org | 262-367-8600 ext. 305